RUAG Aviation has been approved for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of civil helicopters and propeller aircraft registered in Russia. This is an extension to the existing approvals it holds for business jets issued by the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) in 2016.

"This certification allows us to offer our Russia-based customers full MRO and engineering support across their aircraft portfolios," states regional sales director Markus Mayer. "It also confirms to our current business jet customers that they can continue to rely on prompt aircraft availability and optimised downtimes." The approvals cover work performed at RUAG's bases in Sion, Lugano-Agno and Locarno, Switzerland.

The company's Stans facility has also overhauled a Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206 engine for the first time. The engine features in the Airbus H135 and H135M helicopters used extensively by the Swiss Air Force.

Senior VP Heinz Scholl says: "We no longer depend on outside service providers and are therefore able to substantially reduce lead times for maintenance." Previously, engines were sent to Germany or Spain if major maintenance work was required.